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Friday, March 29, 2024

Commissioner candidates step back into arena

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Less than 100 days from the 2014 general election, four hopefuls vying for two open seats on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners are ready to resume issues-based campaigns with bipartisan appeal.

“It’s all starting to accelerate because we’re about 100 days out from the election, give or take. We never stopped thinking about it but it’s time to get back into active mode,” said Republican candidate Skip Watkins during a July 28 phone interview.

Watkins kicked off his general election campaign with a July 24 fundraising event at the home of Woody White, chairman of the county commission.

Watkins said both Chairman White and Commissioner Thomas Wolfe support his campaign, which will slightly change tactics for the general election.

“We’re going to be reaching all 200,000 citizens of New Hanover County, regardless of their party, and we’re going to be doing a lot of personal one-on-ones,” Watkins said.

Watkins said the big issues for his campaign, like creating jobs for middle-class families and preventing and containing crime, appeal to Republican and Democratic voters

Democratic candidate Rob Zapple said he thinks his position on issues will also appeal to Republicans and Independents in addition to fellow Democrats.

“For local politics, I’m sorry that we run it as one party or the other. At the county commissioner level, it should be the best person running for the job. I’m a fiscally conservative candidate. I have a broader view, what I call a common-sense view, on social issues,” Zapple said during a July 28 phone interview.

Even though Zapple and fellow Democrat Patricia Spear automatically advanced to the general election without a primary battle, Zapple has kept on the campaign trail by reaching out to voters at campaign-organized events in June.

“I’m really looking forward to the campaign season. I know I’ve got a good message and I’ve got a tremendous amount of support from Democrats, Independents and Republicans. Many of the issues we campaigned on two years ago, in 2012, are still very much active and have not been resolved,” he said.

Spear said her campaign will begin to pick up by mid-August. She said a July 30 meeting called by county manager Chris Coudriet, where all candidates for county commission were briefed on big issues in local government, marks the beginning of election season.

“I feel like that is really going to be the start of getting things together,” Spear said during a July 29 phone interview.

Spear said she looks forward to meeting candidates and explaining her desire to serve people through county government.

“I’m extremely new at this but I’m not new to talking to people. … I’m a politician that wants to help the people, and I’m going out with a pure heart to help the people,” Spear said.

Republican Dr. Derrick Hickey said he spent the summer talking to citizens and business leaders to gauge concerns and desires of voters. Although he has a few fundraisers planned for September, he said his campaign is focused on issues and conversations with local voters, not money.

“It will help to have some resources, some financial resources, but certainly I want my campaign to be about ideas,” Hickey said during a July 29 phone interview.

Hickey said his experience on the New Hanover County school board is an advantage because people know his leadership style.

“Being on the board of education for four years, I have a record doing the county business. People have been able to see how I make decisions. I’m thoughtful, respectful. I listen to everyone and formulate decisions based on what’s best for all people,” he said.

The general election is Nov. 4.

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